The Officers: Backbone of the Army

Abstract

This chapter examines the biographies of the officers of the three divisions selected for our study. The junior officers were the backbone of the German army, and served as the connecting link between the high command of the Wehrmacht and the political leadership of the Reich on the one hand, and the rank-and-file on the other. They transmitted the orders of the generals to the troops and at the same time acted as their educators and instructors in both military and ideological matters; they also reported to their superiors on the conduct, reliability and morale of the soldiers. It is therefore of crucial importance to enhance our knowledge regarding this relatively unknown stratum of the military hierarchy.

Keywords

Middle Class Party Member Officer Corps Weimar Republic Nazi Party

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